Does small business need a website and can they get customers without having one?

So, the numbers tell that small businesses are surviving without it as well.

But, why don’t they opt for website or spending on paid advertisement?

It’s most likely because they don’t need it. They don’t understand it. Or at some point, they had used it but got hang of it due to low return stream.

What I have seen the smallest business do during my consultation is they see many big companies spending millions on it and they try to replicate it.

It doesn’t work that way. Because they don’t have enough budget, proper strategy, and direct response advertising campaign.

How does small business make customers without a website?

They depend mostly on word of mouth, mailing lists, referrals, and social media. Since small business groove locally, they take the benefits of their friends, and family to get the words out.

Smart small business owners go as far as working on traditional marketing like distributing pamphlets, placing ads in magazines etc. But as all of these things create problems with the plant, equipment, and most importantly capital, they are reluctant to invest on paid advertisement.

During the consultation, I have also found that some business owners are really smart when it comes to business making. They do make odd cold calls to land business from corporate clients. Although I’m not a big fan of outbound marketing, but anything that keeps the engine rolling should be great.

Penultimate Question: Do you need a Website for Small Business?

Yes, you surely need a website to drive untapped traffic, leads, and customers to your business.

81% of shoppers research online before buying anything which sums up the importance of having an online presence. There are many affiliate marketers who earn millions by using targeting buyer focused keywords. And, if they can earn it by just suggesting the product, think how much you can earn by selling it?

Now, let’s boil down to 3 major benefits of having a website for small business:

Establishing Credibility

Most business owners make mistakes by thinking that they need a website just for search mechanism. But it doesn’t work that way. Even if you rely on the more traditional method of client earning, a website is paramount to building your credibility.

Whenever someone mentions your brand name through word of mouth, the first thing they do is check on the internet. Do you think they would just come directly your store and play “knock knock.”? No, they search for you, check reviews, analyse your website. Then, they move to the decision process. So, if your users can’t find you, you are losing them.

Forms personal & loyal relationships

A website has the potential to form personal and loyal customers. When a user goes to your website and checks the about us page, they get to know about you personally. If there is something unique about your product, or a vision that has a striking value, you can share it on your website. This automatically connects with your customers.

A hotel that shows a virtual tour on their website gets more booking than a hotel without any online presence. These small things along with client satisfaction can help to generate a more loyal relationship.

Local market domination

If you have a website, you have the potential to be a whale that dominates the local sea. Your website with proper SEO and paid advertisements can reap a tonne of benefits.

Whether you are a local plumber or a cafe owner, if you have a website you have a chance to get a tonne of customers through it. People nowadays search the internet first before moving to the store. So, if you don’t have a website, you are missing potential prospects. Users coming from the search are qualified leads because they want solutions to your problem. If you can solve their problems, then you will get the customers.

Wrapping Up,

What I know from my years of consultation is that small business does get clients if they are smart enough with their offline marketing. But, by having website and SEO strategies planned out, they are able to generate a tonne of benefits. So, if you are a small business who doesn’t still have a website, I suggest you have one.

So, what do you think? Has your business been able to generate clients without a website? Do let us in the comments below.